soundoff(18 Responses)

Aaron

The problem with these kind of debates, since they are short, is that we don't diddle on facts. Mr. Fleischer, whom credibility is questionable on the matter, simply throws out the whole article without stating which part. Even if he was right, I don't know how he can prove it. I haven't read the 9-11 commission report or this guys NYT article, so I am at a disadvantage.

The fact that Ari – blindly name calls him a 'truther' does not help him. I do understand the difficulty in having to shoot down conspiracies, see birthers. I just wish we had links to more information instead of listening to these 2 guys bicker back and forth.

September 13, 2012 at 4:47 pm |

Jim

I am a proud Independent, but if I was a Democrat I would keep my mouth shut and let Mr. Fleischer speak. He is doing as good a job as he can to lose this election for the Republican party. Almost everything that comes out of his mouth is negative and in some cases not true. He is the perfect example of why we can't get anything done in Washington. To disregard what someone says because they don't belong to your party is ridiculous and shouldn't be allowed. Not all Democrats and Republicans are wrong all of the time. Mr. Fleischer and others like him should not have a world wide platform to speak their minds.

Maybe if people could look at issues from a common sense view and not a partisan view we could get some business done to help the country.

Mr. Blanton, your treatment at the memorial was disgraceful. I hope you have not been treated like this all of the time. Your service should be applauded and saluted.

September 13, 2012 at 2:19 pm |

Shau

Everyone wants to quote the 9/11 Commision Report as gospile to explaine what happened on that day. Unfotunatly when you spend more money impeaching Bill Clinton the you do on the Commision that is investigating the worst terror attack in the history of our country then we have a major problem. The investigation was handled poorly, underfunded and was a insault to the American people along with those who lost family and friends on 9/11. A new investigation needs to be done and it needs to be done right in order to put any doubt to rest in regurds to who knew what and when they knew it, along with why there was so many failures in communication that occured

September 13, 2012 at 5:25 am |

Jonquil

Thank you, Eichenwald! Someone defending actual journalism. What is it about Republican messengers, that they demand everything be funneled through a PR or Business person's perspective? They do this to Scientists, Doctors, Social Workers, Teachers - they demand that everything be defined, every drop of information and human experience, solely on their terms and cleared by them, first, before it becomes our shared reality.

Maybe if Republicans respected other people, more, they would see the value in what different people, with different training, responsibilities and experiences, can bring to the table. You can't PR your way out of everything, even by referring to shoddy sources and resources that bear fancy names (i.e., "The Heritage Foundation"). Yep, that's a partisan opinion, albeit, not "rabidly" so. I'm partial to anything other than the mendacious stupidity that modern Republicans and their messengers proudly display, while demanding we respect and obey them, without question.

September 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm |

Rex Stock

Allowing Ari Fleischer to have any voice in American politics is bad enough, but to allow him a stage on your show, out-and-out-lying, and not answering the one fact that Eichenwald was wrong about, is absolutely the most disgusting thing I have witnessed on CNN in a while...

Ari Fleischer, like the entire Bush Cheney New American Century thugs, should be in prison, not on television telling the world their disgusting view of the world.

September 12, 2012 at 6:43 pm |

charles

Ari Fleischer got destroyed. Seriously destroyed. I think you could put your volume on mute and easily see that

September 12, 2012 at 2:23 pm |

Mary Love

Anderson, I question whether it's exactly balanced to have a PR spokesman for the last administration facing off against Eichenwald instead of someone who was involved in those Presidential briefings or someone who made policy in the Bush administration. It might make for a lively fight, but viewers want facts not showmanship. This is not the Jerry Springer show!

September 12, 2012 at 6:53 am |

Keith Peck

Eichenwald. There is a guy who can argue. He should be teaching everyone to deal with the Hannity boys.

September 12, 2012 at 1:37 am |

Robert Young

If Ari Fleischer was British, he would now be in charge of a daisy farm.
Nobody in the U.K. would listen to the man who let Bush delay his immediate return to N.Y.C on 9/11,
and fly with the equally cowardlly Cheney over Canadiian borders.
I misquote ,but should you not ride to the sound of the guns .What is disturbing is that Bush became a hero
after this debacle

Regards R.M .Young

September 11, 2012 at 11:50 pm |

Jane - WI

I assume this liberal writer also believed the CIA when they told us that Saddam Hussein had WMD.
It is curious that Kurt only chose to write about the Bush years when it came to 9/11, and totally ignored any blame that could be laid at the feet of Bill Clinton and other agencies. It seems this far left author had a political agenda that many in the media are only too happy to let him spew. He should be ashamed that he would release this trash on the very day of 9/11, and that so many in the media have given him face time today.
As Bill Clinton also told us, Saddam Hussein had WMD and would use them one day. (It's interesting how Democrats conveniently forget those words of Bill Clinton).

September 11, 2012 at 11:30 pm |

Ricky

This segment is an excellent example of the partisan politics we live in today. It is hard to watch. I'd like CNN to use a respected third party fact checker and report back to the viewers what the facts are. This us v them state of American politics embarrasses me as a constituent. I quit watching the partisan channels last year and now occasionnally turn on CNN. I feel that the lack of respect politicians show us as citizens is reason enough for me to show the same lack of respect to them. I recall learning in 3rd grade politics includes a heavy dose of compromise. Obviously that no longer applies. What a joke. Or embarrassment. Pick your adjective. Thank Goodness Football has resumed – an American institution still worthy. And now prognosticators say its shelf life is limited. Oh Boy!!!!!

September 11, 2012 at 10:51 pm |

Laura

Can't believe you would have a story like this on on the Anniversary of 9/11! To debate the fact of whether the attacks were "missed", or "aware of" by the Bush Administration is disappointing. How dare you question the intentions, response, or decisions made by the President at that time. People are still trying to process the grief of the horrific day, and you are politicizing it. Anderson had to lead Mr. Eichenweld through most of the interview anyway. When he couldn't wiggle his way out of Ari Fleisher's facts, Anderson would say, "Is what you mean, Mr. Eichenweld,.........?" Unbelievable how far left CNN had gone. It so apparent now it's not worth watching anymore.

September 11, 2012 at 10:45 pm |

Brandon

Now this is the type of debate lacking on most other news stations. Not only was this informative and entertaining, it kept me glued to the TV and wanting more!!!! Take this as a lesson AC, good debate between credible people that is not arbitrarily scripted or cut-off for sake of a commercial break is the type of entertainment that your "key" demo is looking for. Hope this wasn't a fluke.

September 11, 2012 at 10:39 pm |

Steve Stephens

Wow, watching Kurt Eichenwald and Ari Fleicher and I have to say that I am deeply offended. I am fiercely independent and without a partisan view here. Mr. Eichenwald's tone and non-specifics only made it appear extremely personal, even more than partisan. Mostly, doing this on 9-11 is simply deeply offensive. Lastly, if you publish something like this, as he has deliberately sought to do, and on this particular day, grow a thicker skin when you go on TV and let someone else talk. What did you expect? Shame on CNN, shame on New York Times. You could have waited a day to let this blowhard partisan expose himself for what he is – a partisan commentator not adding anything but riskier views of that day to people that incredibly, think it was a conspiracy.

I won't be watching this show anymore. Should have cut him off, certainly waited until tomorrow at least. Too bad, I had a high level of respect for Anderson Cooper, if not CNN.

September 11, 2012 at 10:38 pm |

Robert Adkisson

Review your tape and time each speaker. It appears to me that you allowed Ari to filibuster.

September 11, 2012 at 10:38 pm |

Justice

The fact that you allowed that conversation to take place is embarassing to all who suffered a loss on 9/11. That was embarassing. Shame on CNN.

September 11, 2012 at 10:36 pm |

Celia

Thank you so much for this – it is entirely appropriate to still seek the truth on our behalf on this momentous day – bless you Mr. Eichenwald. I actually feel sorry for Mr. Fleischer that he must still keep up the lies.

September 11, 2012 at 10:31 pm |

Phil Blanton

Did you know that if you go to the 911 Memorial in New York City you must have reservations. I did not know this and was not allowed to enter the memorial. I as a Veteran pre and post 911 was appalled to know that I as a citizen could be denied access to a national monument. I was however allowed to pay taxes to support and build it.